Today's hostels, with their stylish interiors, gourmet food and free wi-fi, are a far cry from the chilly dorms of the past. From North Yorkshire to South Africa, Jane Dunford picks the coolest hangouts

Those ever so modish folks at Monocle magazine have given us an exclusive preview of their 50 top tips for travel to be published next week. We mere mortals may never be able to afford them, but we can always dream ...

Air travel is more stressful than ever, as Hanif Kureishi discovers on a trip to Italy, but at least his destination - a faded grand hotel on Lake Garda - is the perfect place to unwind with his family.